N +

This week's Virtual Console update for the Americas has a little bit of everything. Some ninjas, some space, and a healthy dose of fantasy. Some unreleased, some off the wall, and one we can all relate to, even if only through humor. Solid.
N + Lunar Pool®
NES®, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 500 Wii Points
_{Lunar Pool takes the historical game of billiards and reinvents it with a unique and futuristic flair. The rules are simple: All you need to do is use your cue stick to hit the white cue ball, causing it to hit the other numbered balls and make them go into the pockets. You can enjoy nearly unlimited game play with 30 tables, two different ball arrangements, and the ability to change the degree of friction on the table. You can play against a computer or another human player, so try challenging someone once you've got the hang of the game.}

N + Ninja JaJaMaru-kun®
NES®, 1-2 players, Rated E for Everyone, 600 Wii Points
_{Take on the role of a ninja called JaJaMaru and rescue the captured Princess Sakura from the evil Namazu Dayuu in this action-packed game, previously unreleased outside of Japan. JaJaMaru must use his throwing stars to defeat the monsters lurking in each of Dayuu's many hideouts. JaJaMaru has to be careful though, as each monster has its own unique weapon and method of attacking. The only way for him to advance is to break the floor bricks above him and move up and down between the levels of each round, defeating monsters as he goes. To help him, broken bricks sometimes reveal items that JaJaMaru can use to his advantage, possibly leading to the ultimate power-up: a ride on Gamapakun, the giant frog. Throw in some bonus stages and you've got a game with a style all its own.}

N + Golden Axe™ III
Sega Genesis, 1-2 players, Rated E10+ for Fantasy Violence, 800 Wii Points
<sub>The once-peaceful kingdom so familiar to fans of the original Golden Axe is under threat once again. The Prince of Darkness has stolen the invaluable Golden Axe, taken over the kingdom and rendered its warriors harmless with an evil curse. One warrior breaks free from the curse and must defeat the prince and regain the Golden Axe to save the kingdom. In this one- or two-player action game, play as a giant, a panther or a sword-wielding human and fight your way to victory once again.

For a list of all games on the NAVC (with Retro Reviews) head here
The list of EUVC games can be found here
Japanese Virtual Console list kickyhere!</sub>

Excite-Trucking along through our Month of Metroid[/I] we finally have another of one of the highest rated games of all time on the Virtual Console: Super Metroid. Surprisingly, Shinobi III, another well-liked game appears at it's side, man they could have released Super Metoid and two dog turds and I don't think people would have complained, so to also add two more legit games is kicky solid.
_{Oh how I long for dog turds on the Virtual Console! Anyone find any games that were actually poop?}

[/IMG]N + Super Metroid
Super NES, 1 player, rated E for Everyone – Mild Violence, 800 Wii Points
_{The Space Pirates, merciless agents of the evil Mother Brain, have stolen the last Metroid from a research station, and once again Mother Brain threatens the safety of the galaxy. Samus Aran must don her awesome array of high-tech weaponry to retrieve the deadly Metroid hidden deep within the cave-riddled planet Zebes. Super Metroid features excellent graphics, with a huge variety of enemies and worlds to explore. The side-view action will be familiar to many players, only now there are new weapons and items, including the Grappling Beam, which allows Samus to swing across large chasms, and the X-Ray Scope, which reveals secret passages.}

N + Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master
Sega Genesis, 1 player, rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Older – Animated Blood, Fantasy Violence, 800 Wii Points
_{In this thrilling sequel to The Revenge of Shinobi, Joe Musashi finds that Neo Zeed – the crime syndicate he believed he had wiped out two years earlier – is indeed still alive and well. The return of Neo Zeed and its leader, the mysterious Shadow Master, forces Musashi to return from exile and confront the growing evil. As the Shinobi, the master of long-forgotten Oboro Ninjitsu martial arts, Musashi must utilize all his powers to overcome his various enemies. Thanks to his considerable combat skills and special Ninjitsu moves, only the Shinobi can thwart Neo Zeed and vanquish the Shadow Master.}

N + Neutopia
TurboGrafx16, 1 player, rated E for Everyone – Mild Fantasy Violence, 600 Wii Points
<sub>In this action role-playing game, you take control of a brave boy who sets off on a journey to rescue the kidnapped princess and reclaim the eight medallions that were stolen by the evil demon, Dirth. You'll need to rely on your magic compass and information you've gathered to find entrances to labyrinths and defeat the bosses in them. Solve puzzles, avoid traps, move blocks and destroy walls to uncover secret rooms in the labyrinths. Carefully use your map to uncover hidden treasure and powerful equipment. Travel the land, underground, sea and sky on your quest to recover the medallions. With a save function, the right difficulty level and a system that doesn't include experience points, this is truly an RPG that anyone can enjoy.

For a list of all games on the NAVC (now with added Retro Review goodness) head here. The list of EUVC games can be found here and check out the Japanese Virtual Console list kickyhere!</sub>

Today I rose from bed like a zombie who had way too many hot wings last night. As I shuffled my crippled body to the basement where I would find cloathing so that I may start my day I noticed that an ominous blue auora filled the air, and it was only then did I realize I had a Wii update! Huzzah! "Really though, so soon after the last update" I asked myself. Oh well, I checked anyway and found that it wasn't really a Wii update, but a letter from Nintendo that said that the Wii Shopping Channel had new downloadable content! and it was in fact a preview channel for Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. It was a very short download that put a neat channel (that I wont get rid of) that gives you two video previews from the game to watch, "Corruption" and "Bridge Fight" and two other videos that will become available 8.13.07. You can also close the docked window panel to play a game of "Uncover the cool Samus Artwork". Also the Wii Shopping Channel informs us that North America gets a Metroid Month! (thanks luther for the heads up!) The month brings us:

• Metroid on the 13th
• Super Metroid on the 20th.
• Metroid Prime 3 on the 27th

- Captain Seagull

P.S. Update not available in Europe, can anyone confirm Japan? Australia?
P.P.S. It also appears that the last update also changed mail notifications a little as well, A sonar ring comes out of the "mail" button with an accompanied sound to inform you of the new mail.

No, none of your music collection has been corrupted, don't worry about the precious video game soundtracks, they are all sleeping peacefully in your hard drive. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, now thats worth posting news about! If you wanna see "the pretty" inside this new game, then by all means, "Read More", Video and Screenshots to make your mouth water...

Read more...

This Monday brought us 3 new titles to the Virtual Console in North America. Most notably is the reputable space shooter, Gradius III. This update would have been a great deal longer, and a lot sooner, but Pokemon Diamond and Pearl came out today... so... I already forget what I'm writing about. Must destroy children's dreams over WiFi.
[/IMG]

• NEW +Gradius™ III for SNES, 1-2 players, 800 Wii Points
• NEW +Wonder Boy™ in Monster World for Genesis, 1 player, 800 Wii Points
• NEW +Battle Lode Runner™ for your T-T-TurboGrafx 16, 1-5 players, 600 Wii Points (yeah another 1-5 player game!)

Seriously though, for any arcade space shooter fan, Gradius III is a must own this week. For those looking to appear cool and savvy in front of your friends, just download it and invite some friends to gawk at youe excelent choice of VC games.
As always, stay up to date with the full North American list: http://my.opera.com/nplus/blog/navc